(Hey guys! I'm so sorry, I wrote this about a month ago and forgot to post it. It's a short one! Since school has started, I've been very busy and haven't had time to do a lot of extra things, so expect updates to be much slower than they were in the summer. I apologize. I still have the whole plot written out and all I have to do is write it, so it won't be that difficult but I appreciate your patience!)

Dinner at Flo's

By the time Hudson had finished speaking with Mater, it was nearing dinnertime. Sheriff advised him that they should probably head back in order to make it in time for Flo's dinner special. She always treated the residents to free dinner, unless they came after 5:30 PM. Flo moved three tables together to fit everyone for the dinner. As everyone gathered around to spend time with each other, Ramone slinked over to Hudson quietly and tapped his shoulder.

"Hey, Hudson dude." He flagged the young man down.

"Yes?" Hudson replied.

"Man, I've been looking at da car you got, and man, it's got a blown head gasket man! It's gunna take me two days, tops, to fix it up, man."

"What? Two days?!" Hudson asked, appalled. "I don't have two days! I have to get to California by Friday!"

"Sorry man there's nuthin' dat I can do about it! Flo will getchu a room at the Cozy Cone." He gave Hudson a pat on the back and then took a seat at the table.

Hudson took a seat next to Sheriff, and Flo brought out all the food. Hudson still couldn't understand why these people were so different. It was like a little family. None of them were related, but they had been together so long, and they were all so close. Hudson wanted that. He wanted a family, and people to love and care for, just like these people had cared about him. He tried not to think about it too much. Hudson leaned back in his chair as Sheriff started chatting with him. Now, he just got to relax.

Halfway through dinner, Ramone piped up. "So, Hudson's car blew a gasket. He's gunna be staying here for a few days, sorry Hudson." He waved at him.

"I don't have a choice," Hudson sighed, and Flo interrupted him. "Oh, honey, don't worry, I'll get you a room at the Cozy Cone and you'll be snug as a bug!"

"T-thanks…" Hudson said, clearly upset about having to stay.

When dinner was finished and the sun went down, Red turned on the neon for the shops and stores. Everyone headed out to the front of Flo's, before going back to their places for the night.

Hudson stepped out of the diner. He stopped after only taking a few steps. His jaw just about dropped to the ground when he got a first glance at the neon lights scattered through the town. Bright green, pink, red, yellow, and purple lights lit up the town in a color neon spectacle. It brought Hudson right back to the memories in the 1950s. He couldn't help but flash a small smile.

Flo noticed, "Well, well, yah like the neon?"

"Yes, ma'am. Brings back some good memories."

"Well, we better show you the Cozy Cone. It's adorable." She led him down the street just a small distance away and headed into the rounded courtyard of orange traffic-cone buildings. Flo unlocked the first traffic cone-shaped room. Each one was a little place to lodge in. She opened the door, "here you are, cone number one."

Ramone also followed Flo over to the cone and brought Hudson's suitcase from his car. "Here are your things, I figured you might need that stuff" he laughed. "Goodnight," Ramone waved to Hudson and closed the door for him. Hudson waved, and then started to get ready for bed. He unzipped his suitcase and unpacked his things quietly, as thoughts ran through his head…

Why can't I have a family like this? Why can't I be loved and cared for like this everyday?

Shut up Hudson, you had that opportunity and you left it behind, he said in reply to his thoughts.

Why am I so selfish? Why did I leave? Why didn't I care? Why does this hurt so bad?

Hudson's eyes began to fill with tears. He didn't finish packing; he didn't even put on a pair of comfy clothes. Hudson rubbed at his deep, heavy eyes and gently laid down on his bed, weeping softly. Thousands of thoughts ran through Hudson's mind, until it was just too much to even think about. It wasn't long until Hudson fell asleep quietly under his covers.